Samoa Tourist Information
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Samoa Islands
Pacific Travel Guides
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Samoa Tourist Information
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The following Samoa tourist information facts should help answer any questions you have:
All mentions of "Samoa" throughout this guide refer to Independent Samoa.
Samoa is one of the cheapest destinations of the main South Pacific islands so you'll find your money stretching further than Hawaii, The Cook Islands or Tahiti. Tipping is not encouraged and contrary to Polynesian culture although the payment of custom fees to visit beaches and historical sites is widespread. Most credit cards and travellers cheques are readily accepted and there are ATM machines at Westpac and ANZ banks in Apia Town and Salelologa on Savaii Island. Currency is the Samoan Tala.
Money and Currency
The climate is distinctly tropical with hot sunny days in winter with higher humidity and tropical afternoon downpours more common in the summer months of Dec to April. There is no specific high / low season for tourism and rates remain the same throughout the year. The only time when tourism is low is during December and January but this is due to heavy demand on airline seats from Samoans living overseas and returning home for Christmas. If you wan to visit during this time, it is wise to book your flight well ahead.
Samoa Weather
Getting to Samoa is straight-forward with direct flights from Los Angeles and Hawaii on a weekly basis, and from New Zealand 4 times per week with flights connecting to Australia. There are also direct flights from Fiji and Tonga twice a week.
International Flights to Tonga
Entry Requirements
There are just two large islands on Samoa both with plenty of attractions and accommodation, but only two of the smaller islands have accommodation. Getting around the islands is very straightforward although public buses are very unreliable.
Local Flights ; Ferries ; Public Transport ; Car Hire
With only a few islands to visit, deciding where to go is not a problem - however, most tourists are unaware of the exciting opportunities for exploring the islands and appreciating its rich culture and many tourists booking through travel agents end up with an unexciting holiday itinerary.
Samoa Travel Guide
Travel Insurance is advisable for any visit to Samoa. Local private doctors are good and there's a public hospital and very good private hospital. Mercy flights to New Zealand are provided in extreme cases.
English is widely spoken. Crime is low, although it is becoming more common in Apia, particularly petty theft. Street fighting between drunken village boys is common at weekends. Electricity is 240 volts.
Other Useful Facts
Festivals and Special Events
Package Holidays
Tour Operators
Travellers with Disabilities
Samoa has poor facilities for wheelchair access - the streets in towns have few ramps on the pavements for crossings and public buildings such as cinemas, libraries, and toilets have no provisions for wheelchairs. Public buses will also cause a problem for those unable to walk. There is just one resort that offers rooms designed for those with wheelchairs and easily accessible restaurants.
Media and Books
The local Samoa papers are published daily in English and Samoan. New Zealand newspapers are available from the shops, usually several days late, but not from other countries. There are a few free tourist publications and maps in distribution mostly selling tours, restaurants and attractions.
Travel Guide books for Samoa are few and far between. The only guide book available in the shops is Lonely Planet (2004), but this was hopelessly out of date even when it had just been published!
Samoa Tourist Information
Readers may also be interested in the following destinations:
Fiji Tourist Information
Cook Islands Tourist Information
Tonga Tourist Information
Tahiti Tourist Information
Hawaii Tourist Information
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